lfish to think of exposing her to the shock, or making her a widow,
but how came she never to have thought of it? She stood beyond all
ordinary rules--she had nothing worldly to gain nor to lose by being his
wife for these few remaining months--it surely was her part, after the
way she had treated him, to meet him more than half way--she alone could
make the proposal--she would--she must. And oh! if the doctors should be
mistaken! So spoke the midnight dream--oh! how many times. But what
said cool morning? Propriety had risen up, grave decorum objecting to
what would shock Humfrey, ay, and was making Honor's cheeks tingle. Yes,
and there came the question whether he would not be more distressed than
gratified--he who wished to detach himself from all earthly ties--whether
he might not be pained and displeased at her thus clinging to him--nay,
were he even gratified, might not emotion and agitation be fatal?

Many, many times was all this tossed over in Honor's mind. Often the
desperate resolution was definitely taken, and she had seen herself
quietly meeting him at dear old Hiltonbury Church, with his grave sweet
eyes resting satisfied upon her as his darling. As often had the fear of
offending him, and the instinct of woman's dignity turned her away when
her heart was beating high. That autumn visit--then she would decide.
One look as if he wished to retain her, the least air of feebleness or
depression, and she would be determined, even if she had to waive all
feminine reserves, and set the matter in hand herself. She thought Mr.
Saville would highly approve and assist; and having settled into this
period for her project, she set herself in some degree at rest, and moved
and spoke with so much more of her natural ease, that Miss Wells was
consoled about her, and knew not how entirely heart and soul were at
Hiltonbury, with such devotion as had never even gone to the backwoods.

To meet the Savilles at Hiltonbury in the autumn! Yes--Honor met Mr.
Saville, but not as she had intended. By that time the stroke had
fallen, just as she had become habituated to the expectation, just as her
promised visit had assumed a degree of proximity, and her heart was
beating at the prospect of the results.

Humfrey had been scarcely ailing all the summer, he had gone about his
occupations with his usual cheerfulness, and had taken part in all the
village festivals as genially as ever. Only close observers could have
notic